Meet the Bexley Voice team!
Get to know our team a little better!
Bexley Voice is a parent volunteer led charity.
On our team we have parent/carers of children or young people aged 0-25 with special needs/disabilities or have a genuine interest and passion to support families in Bexley.
We are looking for new trustees and volunteers to help with the running of Bexley Voice.
If you would like to be part of our team, please get in touch.
Bexley Voice is a parent volunteer led charity.
On our team we have parent/carers of children or young people aged 0-25 with special needs/disabilities or have a genuine interest and passion to support families in Bexley.
We are looking for new trustees and volunteers to help with the running of Bexley Voice.
If you would like to be part of our team, please get in touch.
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Bexley Voice Trustees
Lisa Randell - Trustee, Chair and Lead for Health
I am married and have four boys. My son has Down's syndrome and I have a passion about finding out as much about this as possible and passing this on to others so people have a better knowledge about Down's syndrome. I have been a part of Bexley voice for a while enjoying all the events that are put on and have become a trustee. I wanted to become more involved as want to be part of helping parents to have their voices heard and to make a difference. I feel that Bexley voice is where we can all achieve this together.
I am married and have four boys. My son has Down's syndrome and I have a passion about finding out as much about this as possible and passing this on to others so people have a better knowledge about Down's syndrome. I have been a part of Bexley voice for a while enjoying all the events that are put on and have become a trustee. I wanted to become more involved as want to be part of helping parents to have their voices heard and to make a difference. I feel that Bexley voice is where we can all achieve this together.
Graham Wakefield - Trustee and Lead for Preparing for Adulthood
I began volunteering for Bexley Voice in summer 2019 and joined the Operating Committee shortly afterwards as the Parent Representative for Preparing for Adulthood. I was delighted to become a Trustee in September 2020.
My adult son is on the Autistic spectrum, has severe learning difficulties and extreme anxiety disorder. As a result, I have a lot of experience of the challenges parents and carers face with schooling, respite care and the difficult transition to adulthood. As the Parent Rep for Preparing for Adulthood, I hope to be able to put my experiences to good use to support other families.
I began volunteering for Bexley Voice in summer 2019 and joined the Operating Committee shortly afterwards as the Parent Representative for Preparing for Adulthood. I was delighted to become a Trustee in September 2020.
My adult son is on the Autistic spectrum, has severe learning difficulties and extreme anxiety disorder. As a result, I have a lot of experience of the challenges parents and carers face with schooling, respite care and the difficult transition to adulthood. As the Parent Rep for Preparing for Adulthood, I hope to be able to put my experiences to good use to support other families.
Debbie Pettitt - Trustee - Treasurer
Debbie is our volunteer Treasurer for Bexley Voice, having previously been Vice-Chair. She works hard to ensure all our accounts are up to date and registered with the charities commission and provides monthly account reports to the management committee. She also works full-time, so finds it very difficult to attend meetings (although she'd love to go to more), so enjoys catching up with the BV team at social events. She ran in a sponsored Fun Run, raising over £500 for BV!
Deb has two lovely children - Gemma and Robbie. Robbie has severe developmental delay and epilepsy.
Debbie is our volunteer Treasurer for Bexley Voice, having previously been Vice-Chair. She works hard to ensure all our accounts are up to date and registered with the charities commission and provides monthly account reports to the management committee. She also works full-time, so finds it very difficult to attend meetings (although she'd love to go to more), so enjoys catching up with the BV team at social events. She ran in a sponsored Fun Run, raising over £500 for BV!
Deb has two lovely children - Gemma and Robbie. Robbie has severe developmental delay and epilepsy.
Sukina Banks - Trustee
I’m married with 4 children. My youngest has ASD. I first came across Bexley Voice when my son was going through diagnosis. I found the help and support invaluable and once he was in school I wanted to give something back and help out where I could. I’m a trustee and help out where I can, knowing you can support others who are in the same boat or just starting out on their journey is very rewarding.
I’m married with 4 children. My youngest has ASD. I first came across Bexley Voice when my son was going through diagnosis. I found the help and support invaluable and once he was in school I wanted to give something back and help out where I could. I’m a trustee and help out where I can, knowing you can support others who are in the same boat or just starting out on their journey is very rewarding.
Danita Hooker - Trustee, Safeguarding and Early Years Lead
I have many years experience of working with pre-school children and their parent/carers that have moderate -severe disabilities and believe that every child deserves the best possible opportunity to learn and explore their world regardless.
As trustee I hope to strive to make a difference for parent/carers within Bexley.
Danita recently received a commendation certificate from the Mayor of Bexley for her exceptional contribution and acts of kindness to individuals and the community during Covid 19 pandemic.
Laraine Davies - Trustee, Secretary
Lead for SEND Transport Assistance and Short Breaks
I have been a volunteer with Bexley Voice since October 2017. I am a member of the Operating Committee and a Parent Representative for Short Breaks and Travel Assistance. I have two young children. My son has a rare genetic disorder and complex learning difficulties so I have first hand experience of how hard it can be to find the right educational placement for your special needs child and get the appropriate package of support put in place.
I realise it is only as you move through the journey that is being the parent or carer of a young person with SEN that you gain the knowledge you need to help your child achieve their potential. I have benefited from the support and information that Bexley Voice provides and am now proud to be part of a small but committed team in the hope that I can do my bit to help others.
Lead for SEND Transport Assistance and Short Breaks
I have been a volunteer with Bexley Voice since October 2017. I am a member of the Operating Committee and a Parent Representative for Short Breaks and Travel Assistance. I have two young children. My son has a rare genetic disorder and complex learning difficulties so I have first hand experience of how hard it can be to find the right educational placement for your special needs child and get the appropriate package of support put in place.
I realise it is only as you move through the journey that is being the parent or carer of a young person with SEN that you gain the knowledge you need to help your child achieve their potential. I have benefited from the support and information that Bexley Voice provides and am now proud to be part of a small but committed team in the hope that I can do my bit to help others.
Janine Wooster - Trustee and Lead for School Visits
I am now retired having spent all of my working life working with children and young people with Special educational needs and disabilities and their families. I have worked as a teacher both in mainstream and special schools and for many years as the complex needs manager for the London borough of Bexley. I hope to carry on my work in supporting young people and their families by volunteering with Bexley Voice.
I am now retired having spent all of my working life working with children and young people with Special educational needs and disabilities and their families. I have worked as a teacher both in mainstream and special schools and for many years as the complex needs manager for the London borough of Bexley. I hope to carry on my work in supporting young people and their families by volunteering with Bexley Voice.
Ramona Martin - Trustee
I’m married with 1 son who has severe autism, ADHD, anxiety, speech delay, sensory processing disorder, eating difficulties & all that comes along with these disorders.
I am also a Governor of Shenstone School. I am committed wholly to Bexley Voice & am proud to be part of the team. I am knowledgeable on a lot of SEN in Bexley & have been part of Bexley Voice on & off for several years. I am passionate about passing on my knowledge to other parents/carers to guide & help them. I have been in the SEN “family” for 12 years now & have learnt a lot on our journey.
I am extremely proud to be part of the team & enjoy helping parents/carers who come to us for advice/help.
I’m married with 1 son who has severe autism, ADHD, anxiety, speech delay, sensory processing disorder, eating difficulties & all that comes along with these disorders.
I am also a Governor of Shenstone School. I am committed wholly to Bexley Voice & am proud to be part of the team. I am knowledgeable on a lot of SEN in Bexley & have been part of Bexley Voice on & off for several years. I am passionate about passing on my knowledge to other parents/carers to guide & help them. I have been in the SEN “family” for 12 years now & have learnt a lot on our journey.
I am extremely proud to be part of the team & enjoy helping parents/carers who come to us for advice/help.
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Lori Mackey - Trustee
Lori is the Executive Headteacher of Shenstone School in Bexley. Shenstone School is a special school for children who have severe and or complex learning difficulties. All pupils who attend Shenstone School have Education and Health Care Plans. Shenstone is one of two special schools within The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT). Lori joined the board of trustees in September 2020 and we are looking forward to making the most of her expertise! |
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Bexley Voice Staff Team
Juli Atkinson - Parent Participation Coordinator
I have 3 children, one of whom is on the Autistic Spectrum. I am on the BV committee and I am also the Parent Participation Coordinator for the group and have been involved with parent participation in Bexley for many years, I am also the Treasurer for Bexley NAS (the Bexley branch of the National Autistic Society).
I have been involved with BV from the outset and feel proud of the growth and success of the group as well as the individuals that lead it.
I have 3 children, one of whom is on the Autistic Spectrum. I am on the BV committee and I am also the Parent Participation Coordinator for the group and have been involved with parent participation in Bexley for many years, I am also the Treasurer for Bexley NAS (the Bexley branch of the National Autistic Society).
I have been involved with BV from the outset and feel proud of the growth and success of the group as well as the individuals that lead it.
Frances Bush - Bexley Voice Admin Support
I am married with two children. My daughter has dyslexia and my son has a learning difficulty with severe speech disorder. I have been a part of Bexley Voice from the beginning. I manage the e-mail inbox which involves replying to enquiries, giving advice and sign-posting parents/carers to places of support. My involvement with Bexley Voice allows me to network with other service-providers and charities so that I am constantly learning about all the wonderful services available in Bexley. My voluntary work for Bexley Voice takes up a lot of my time but we are a good team and they have all become firm friends. I feel empowered!
I am married with two children. My daughter has dyslexia and my son has a learning difficulty with severe speech disorder. I have been a part of Bexley Voice from the beginning. I manage the e-mail inbox which involves replying to enquiries, giving advice and sign-posting parents/carers to places of support. My involvement with Bexley Voice allows me to network with other service-providers and charities so that I am constantly learning about all the wonderful services available in Bexley. My voluntary work for Bexley Voice takes up a lot of my time but we are a good team and they have all become firm friends. I feel empowered!
Alison Barnes - Information & Communications Administrator
I am the newly appointed Information and Communications Administrator for Bexley Voice.
I first came across Bexley Voice, when I was working for another charity in a local primary school. It was my job then to tackle the underlying barriers to a successful education, to improve the life chances of children.
Bexley Voice proved to be an invaluable local resource and they helped many of the parents who I was supporting at the time. Therefore, I am delighted to have the opportunity to now work directly for this wonderful charity.
I know, first-hand, the difference it makes to feel supported and empowered as a parent. My advice to parents is to ask for help and to make the most of the support services in Bexley.
You are not alone!
Bexley Voice Operation Committee and Volunteers
Afua Sagoe - Lead BAME
I am married with 2 children and my son has ASD along with ARFID. My life goal is to lend a helping hand and advocate for children and young people, so they can grow to be independent regardless of their diagnosis. I have been a member of Bexley Voice for a while and have recently become a volunteer. I'm currently working to bring more BAME members and non-members together through social media. Check out the Bexley Voice BAME Focus Group on Facebook and let's have a good chat.
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Stacey Yusuf
Hello I am Stacey and I am a married mother to 3 children. I am a carer for my brother who has severe learning disabilities and autism. I volunteer for BV as they have helped me in the past and I wanted to give something back. BV are a fabulous underrated service for parents and carers of children and young people with disabilities.
I think it is important that the BV team have a personal and vast range of experience with all things SEN and can empathise, advise and give support. To help parents and carers when they are feeling isolated alone and perhaps not know where to turn. Bexley Voice can point parents and carers in the right direction. I am currently helping with the admin for school visits and attending schools. I absolutely love the school visit programme and believe this key engagement with parents and carers is the pathway to many attending BV Tea and Talks! |
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Yola Wakefield
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I am a mum to an adult son with Autism, severe learning difficulties and extreme anxiety disorder. I have a lot of experience of the challenges parents and carers face with schooling and respite care for young people with disabilities as well as the difficult transition to adulthood. In my professional career I worked for many years supporting young people in schools who were on the spectrum or had other mental health challenges. I also supported their families by attending Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs) and review meetings. I support Bexley Voice at the regular Tea and Talk sessions and the school visit programme.
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Michelle Campion - Volunteer - Tea & Talk, Social Media and Mental Health